Tag: Lifestyle Blogger

Gift Ideas /

National Drink Wine Day – How To Celebrate

Thursday, February 18th is National Drink Wine Day and what better way to pay tribute to this holiday than to “wine” down and kick off the weekend with a glass (or two) of your favorite wine.

Whether you prefer to honor this holiday with friends, at the office or alone at home-sweet-home, below please find four essentials for your celebration.

The Perfect Sip: Santa Margherita

 

Santa Margherita

Savor Every Drop: Wine Aerator

Celebrate the reason for this holiday with a varietal from Santa Margherita’s collection. Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio Alto Adige is a dry white – a wine of great personality and versatility. Chianti Classico Riserva is an intriguing red, absorbing an array of earthly wide-ranging aromatics. Prosecco Superiore is a sparkling wine and the perfect base for a variety of bubbly cocktails. ($17.99 – $26.99)

Krups Wine Aerator

A Toast to Thursday: Stemware

KRUPS 2-Bottle Wine Aerator offers your guests their favorite glass of red or white wine chilled to perfection. The KRUPS Wine Aerator allows you to chill, aerate, serve and preserve wine all at once. With a preserve function that features a vacuum technology and removes oxygen from the bottle, you can preserve wine for up to 10 days making the most out of each bottle. ($499.99)

Stemware

Drink Without Damage: Teeth Whitener

Prep for the evening by decorating your celebration space with sophisticated pieces from Fitz and Floyd. Friends and family will love sipping their favorite varietal out of these glamourous glasses. ($49.99/4-piece set)

Quikees

Supersmile Quikee’s on-the-go instant stain removing formula comes to the rescue after a night of drinking red wine. Their formula with Calprox guarantees whiter teeth, removes stains and freshens breath without brushing or rinsing. A quick swipe of the tongue and smiles and breath is refreshed. The tube is conveniently the same size as a tube of lip balm so you can keep it as discrete as you need. ($18)

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Terra’s Kitchen – Baltimore Meal-Kit Delivery Service

I’m excited to announce the launch of Baltimore-based Terra’s Kitchen, an innovative meal-kit delivery service that’s making it easy and quick to cook up tasty dishes at home leaving more time for memory making in the kitchen and beyond!

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Terra’s Kitchen, available for the first time ever in the Baltimore area starting March 1st, promises farm-to-front door delivery of fresh, seasonal ingredients that are pre-portioned and prepped for skillet-ready, chef-designed recipes. Each meal can be made in 30 minutes or less, giving families more time for the things that matter.

Baltimore Meal-Kit Delivery Service

With the now 1 billion dollar meal-kit marketplace offering many options, I wanted to call out a few things that sets Terra’s Kitchen apart from its competitors:

Eco-Friendly Delivery Vessel: The unique vessel features proprietary, climate-controlling technology to keep high-quality ingredients cool and fresh for delivery. The eco-friendly Vessel is reusable and creates 0% waste, as Terra’s Kitchen will schedule a pickup date and time with its customers to retrieve it and reuse.

Clean & Chef-Designed Recipes: Libbie Summers, Head of Culinary Direction at Terra’s Kitchen and esteemed cookbook author, expertly combines high-quality ingredients for healthy meals, with options for omnivore, gluten-free, paleo and vegetarian preferences. With a rotating seasonal menu, each meal comes with a step-by-step recipe card to ensure that dinner is easy-to-make (think Honey Mustard Chicken Breast with Grilled Vegetable Kabobs, Tomato Scallion Rice With Cheesy Grilled Squash or Grilled NY Strip Steak With Tomatoes, Eggplant & Basil Chimichurri in under 30 minutes!).

Recreating The Family Dinner Experience: In an era where busy American families struggle to find the time for quality meals at-home, Terra’s Kitchen’s offers consumers an easy tool for quick meals, that don’t sacrifice nutrition or taste, and can go from the skillet to the table in under 30 minutes. All ingredients come pre-portioned and prepped – all you do is cook!

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DIY /

Sparkling Ice Cocktails – Celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras begins next week, so I wanted to share some fun and refreshing cocktail recipes from SPARKLING ICE – a great tasting, lightly carbonated, zero-calorie beverage which combines sparkling water, fruit juice, vitamins, antioxidants, and BOLD natural flavors.

Bourbon Street Black Raspberry Brut

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Ingredients

1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
2 oz. brut Champagne
7 large black raspberries
2 oz. Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry
¼ oz. lemon juice
Instructions

1.Muddle black raspberries, Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry and lemon juice in a glass.

2.Pour ingredients into a glass filled with ice.

3.Add tequila, stir, and strain into a large rocks glass filled with ice.

4.Top with brut Champagne and garnish with a skewered black raspberries.

Lemonade Hurricane

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Ingredients:

2 oz. Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade
1 oz. light rum
1 oz. dark rum
½ oz. passion fruit juice
1 oz. orange juice
Strawberry and Lime for garnish
Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together with ice.
Pour into a tall glass over ice.

Sparkling Whiskey Sour

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Ingredients

.5 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1.75 oz Sparkling Ice Lemon Tea
1.25 oz Bourbon
.25 oz simple syrup*
*Low calorie option: Omit .25 oz simple syrup, add one packet of Splenda.

Instructions:

1.In mixing cup add ice, lemon, bourbon and Sparkling Ice.

2.Stir and strain over rocks.

3.Garnish with a cherry

Celebrity /

Monica Brown Cover and Interview – Uptown Magazine

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“When you embrace you, you embrace it all.”

Monica is clearly embracing it all right now – her family, her fame, and the success of her eighth studio album, “Code Red.” We have a Code Red over here with how she’s SLAYING us with her new cover and photo spread in “Uptown.”

In the interview, she explains “As I think back over everything I’ve accomplished in my career—the awards, opportunities and exposure are all there, of course. But, what gives me unspeakable joy is the fact that I’ve touched countless women, and some young men, along the way with my music and my message.”

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Photo – Uptown Magazine

And if anyone knows music, it’s Monica. She’s been dominating the R&B scene for over 20 years since her debut with “Don’t Take It Personal.” She knows that in order to make it to the top of the charts, or the top of any field you need to have the traits of a leader. Check out the video below to see Monica describe what individuals need to succeed and be a leader in their field.

DIY /

Sparkling Ice – Award Season Inspired Cocktails

Celebrate the upcoming Oscars by hosting your own viewing party to watch your favorite celebrities strut their couture on the red carpet. No viewing party is complete without delicious cocktails and mocktails, so sip in style during the trendiest season with these Award Season inspired cocktail recipes featuring SPARKLING ICE and Coco Joy.

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Ingredients:

4 oz. Blueberry Pomegranate SPARKLING ICE
2 oz. Pomegranate Juice
Blueberries
Pomegranate Seeds
Add a splash of vodka or prosecco for a cocktail modification

Directions:

Fill a glass with Blueberry Pomegranate SPARKLING ICE
Add pomegranate juice
Top with 5-6 blueberries and a small handful of pomegranate seeds
Stir to combine
RED CARPET READY

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Ingredients:

4 cups apple cider, chilled
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
2 cups SPARKLING ICE Crisp Apple, chilled
1 can (12oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate
Apple slices for garnish
Rosemary cranberry sprig for individual garnish, as shown in image, or float fresh or frozen cranberries in punch bowl
Add a splash of vodka or prosecco for a cocktail modification

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and let sit overnight
Serve chilled, garnish with rosemary cranberry sprig

BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELL

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Ingredients:

Frozen black cherries
1½ oz. Kentucky bourbon
1 oz. SPARKLING ICE Black Raspberry
Directions:

Crush cherries into bottom of a glass
Pour bourbon then SPARKLING ICE over crushed cherries and ice
Add more cherry for garnish
CELEBRITY COLADA

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Ingredients

½ crushed pineapple
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup vodka
2 cups cold Coco Joy Water
2 limes
Directions

Combine pineapple, ice, vodka and Coco Joy Water in a blender and pulse until smooth
Garnish with limes

Entertainment /

Wine Loft Birmingham – Tapas and Cocktails

I served as the host for a birthday party during the holiday season.  It was a milestone celebration and I wanted the event to special.  I selected the Wine Loft Birmingham for several reasons:

  1. Everybody loves a glass of wine!
  2. The atmosphere is very cozy and a great place for conversation.
  3. It’s a hidden gem, in the heart of Birmingham city.

 

The southern charm of the Wine Loft Birmingham lived up to my expectations.  I was able to make a direct reservation and due to the extended amount of guests, the restaurant had no problem accommodating any changes.  The menu was (also) unique and provided a Tapas experience, along with a diverse selection of wines.

I suggest if you’re in the Birmingham area to visit the restaurant for networking, laughs, and an awesome glass of wine!

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Atlanta /

Enoch Pratt Free Library: Food for Fines 2016

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is partnering with the Maryland Food Bank in the month of January for Food For Fines.

From January 4 to January 31, donate a canned food item at any Pratt Library location and receive a $1 off any library fine.

There is no limit on the amount of cans that can be donated. For example, 5 cans = $5 off of your library card fines. Canned goods must be unopened and unexpired to qualify. To participate, just drop the cans off at the Circulation Desk of your local Pratt Library branch.

“We are encouraging our library patrons to help fight hunger in the Baltimore area. This campaign helps our neighbors and helps you reduce your library fines,” said Carla D. Hayden, Chief Executive Officer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. “The holidays are over but the need is still there. Baltimoreans and Marylanders stand by each other and this campaign is a way to continue the holiday spirit into the new year.”

In January 2015, the library collected more than 10,700 pounds of food for the Maryland Food Bank feeding more than 7,000 meals.

“The Food for Fines campaign is an inspiring example of how communities can come together to prioritize hunger,” said Deborah Flateman, President & CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. “It’s a win-win for everyone, and it’s a helpful reminder that hunger is a year-round struggle, one that doesn’t end once the holidays are over.”

Enoch Pratt Free Library

The Enoch Pratt Free Library, the nation’s first free library system, opened its doors in 1886, the result of the generosity and imagination of businessman and philanthropist Enoch Pratt. Mr. Pratt envisioned a public library where “races, ages, and socio-economic classes mingled and people could educate themselves – without cost,” and his passionate belief continues to guide the organization. Today’s Pratt Library – Baltimore’s public library and the Maryland State Library Resource Center – consists of the Central Library, an anchor library, 22 branches, two bookmobiles, Pratt Centers for Technology Training, and the Regional Information Center. The Library’s mission is to provide equal access to information and services that support, empower, and enrich all who pursue knowledge, education, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning.

Maryland Food Bank
About the Maryland Food Bank: The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, leading the movement to end hunger throughout Maryland. For more than 35 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully-crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long term ways to reduce hunger statewide. Currently distributing more than 120,000 meals per day — nearly 44 million meals annually — the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends. To learn more about the Maryland Food Bank, visit mdfoodbank.org.

For more information about the Pratt’s Food for Fines campaign, visit our website at www.prattlibrary.org. Also look for the Pratt on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

Remember at the Enoch Pratt Free Library:  “Your journey starts here.”
 

 
 

prattlibrary.org  400 Cathedral Street  Baltimore, MD 21201-4484  p 410-545-3115  f 410-396-8134
Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Christmas in Baltimore and Festive Activities

“Baltimore city is an amazing mixture of the historical and the modern and would be a great end-destination for any time of the year, but during Christmastime, it is something special. The community in Baltimore comes together in harmony during the holidays and offers some of the most charming and entertaining festive events. From residents creating a world-renowned light show to bringing in traditions and entertainment from across the Atlantic, Baltimore, Maryland is the place to be during Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of the many ways to enjoy the holiday season in this captivating seaside city” from the BLT.com

Click on the link to read more:  Christmas in Baltimore

Fitness /

Hyleys Slim Tea Lifestyle Option – Product Review

Hyleys Slim Teas –

Hyleys Slim Teas are 100% natural Green teas made with Senna leaves, and fruit flavoring that promote body cleansing, detoxification, and a healthy digestive system, all in a delicious cup of hot tea! Mild and pleasant in both taste and texture,the weight-loss enhancing properties of the Slim Teas offer consumers a safe, pound-shedding alternative to risky pills and surgery. 

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Hyleys Slim Teas are available in flavorful options like Acai Berry, Blueberry, Goji Berry, Pomegranate and Raspberry as well as a Five-Flavor Assortment. MSRP $5.99 for 1-pack of 25 foil envelope tea bags.

See www.hyleysteaonline.com for their entire collection of 100% herb- and fruit-infused, wellness teas along with Wooden Gift Boxes and Gift Tins perfect for holiday gifting.

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Product Review: 

Let’s be honest, I enjoyed too much comfort (and fast) food during the summer months.  After facing this harsh reality, I had to actively start my weight loss program.  Number one, I take pride in being healthy and monitoring my diet.  Number two, I’m petite and must be mindful of those “few extra pounds.”  Number three, it’s the holiday season and my wardrobe requires fitted a dress.

I received the assortment of Hyleys Slim Tea in the mail and honestly, didn’t know what to expect.  I am proud to share (with the use of moderate exercise) I have seen results from drinking the Slim Tea.  Yes, I lost a few pounds!

I would suggest reading the directions on the box which indicates the best time frame to drink the tea along with consumption.  This tea not only helps you lose weight but it also has a nice flavor.  I could taste the fruit infusion in each bag.

Remember, the tea also serves as a mild laxative but if you’re eating “clean” you should not have severe stomach cramps.  I am pleased with the results of the tea and encourage everyone to try it.  This is a great option if you’re seeking to lose weight without extreme measures.  Hyleys Slim Tea is affordable and can also be purchased online.  If you decide to try the tea and see results, please share in the comments box below!

Lean Diet

Moderate Exercise

Drink One Cup of Hyleys Slim Tea Before Bedtime